2012

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Circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs. Except when they have thickness,
arcs and circles are translated into the equivalent PostScript path objects.
Filled solids. A solid fill is plotted as a PostScript filled path.
Two-dimensional polylines. A 2D (planar) polyline with uniform width
is output as a PostScript stroked path. The PostScript end cap and miter
limit variables are set to approximate the segment joining.
Export ACIS SAT Files
You can export certain object types to an ACIS file in ASCII (SAT) format.
You can export trimmed NURBS surfaces, regions, and 3D solids to an ACIS
file in ASCII (SAT) format. Other objects, such as lines and arcs, are ignored.
Use the ACISOUTVER system variable to specify the ACIS version for the
output of the ACISOUT command.
Export Stereolithography STL Files
You can export 3D solid objects in the STL file format compatible with
stereolithography or 3D printing.
Stereolithography or 3D printing is used in rapid prototyping, rapid
manufacturing, and other applications to create physical parts and models.
The 3D solid data is translated to a faceted mesh representation consisting of
a set of triangles and saved to an STL file. Use the FACETRES system variable
to adjust the facet density to an appropriate detail level.
NOTE Setting the resolution too high slows down the fabrication process without
improving the output quality of the stereolithography device.
The STL data is used to create an object by depositing a succession of thin
layers of plastics, metals, or composite materials. The resulting parts and
models are commonly used for the following:
Visualize design concepts
Create product mockups, architectural models, and terrain models
Test form, fit, and function
Identify design problems
Create masters for vacuum forming applications
756 | Chapter 11 Share Data Between Files